The much-anticipated Broadway return of Bradley Cooper in a revival of "The Elephant Man" has been delayed by a few weeks, with the start of performances pushed back to Nov. 7 from a previously announced start of Oct. 18.

"The Elephant Man," directed by Scott Ellis, is now scheduled to officially open on Dec. 7 with a run at the Booth Theatre in New York scheduled to close on Feb. 15. Organizers had previously said that opening night would be Nov. 13 and that the play would close on Jan. 18.

CaptionBradley Cooper

Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

Cooper played the role of John Merrick at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in 2012, under the direction of Scott Ellis. The actor, who is nominated for a supporting actor Oscar this year for "American Hustle," previously appeared on Broadway in 2006 in "Three Days of Rain," with Julia Roberts....

Cooper played the role of John Merrick at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in 2012, under the direction of Scott Ellis. The actor, who is nominated for a supporting actor Oscar this year for "American Hustle," previously appeared on Broadway in 2006 in "Three Days of Rain," with Julia Roberts.... (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Crudup starred as John Merrick in the last Broadway revival of the play in 2002, and he received a Tony Award nomination. The production, which co-starred Kate Burton and Rupert Graves, received mixed reviews and was criticized for its rather cold, Brechtian detachment.

Crudup starred as John Merrick in the last Broadway revival of the play in 2002, and he received a Tony Award nomination. The production, which co-starred Kate Burton and Rupert Graves, received mixed reviews and was criticized for its rather cold, Brechtian detachment. (Larry Busacca / Getty Images)

The original 1979 Broadway production starred Philip Anglim in the role of John Merrick. The show's long run necessitated some cast changes, with "Star Wars" actor Mark Hamill taking over the role for a brief period.

The original 1979 Broadway production starred Philip Anglim in the role of John Merrick. The show's long run necessitated some cast changes, with "Star Wars" actor Mark Hamill taking over the role for a brief period. (LucasFilm)

David Bowie was another performer who took over the role of John Merrick during the play's initial two-year run on Broadway. Prior to opening in New York, Bowie performed the play in Denver and Chicago, earning rave reviews for the physicality he brought to the role.

David Bowie was another performer who took over the role of John Merrick during the play's initial two-year run on Broadway. Prior to opening in New York, Bowie performed the play in Denver and Chicago, earning rave reviews for the physicality he brought to the role. (Los Angeles Times)

"The Elephant Man" has been a favorite of regional theaters around the world. In Los Angeles, a 2012 production of the play at Theatre 68 in Hollywood received glowing reviews for actor Babar Peerzada, who played John Merrick.

"The Elephant Man" has been a favorite of regional theaters around the world. In Los Angeles, a 2012 production of the play at Theatre 68 in Hollywood received glowing reviews for actor Babar Peerzada, who played John Merrick. (Aaron Brownlee)

Organizers attributed the delay to a scheduling conflict. Cooper will reprise the role of a disfigured British man that he played at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in 2012. The Broadway cast also includes Patricia Clarkson as an actress who befriends him and Alessandro Nivola as the doctor who takes him into his care.

The play, by Bernard Pomerance, is inspired by the real-life case of Joseph Merrick, a 19th century Englishman who suffered severe deformities and who eventually became famous. The stage drama was first seen on Broadway in 1979 and was revived in 2002 in a production starring Billy Crudup.

Pomerance's play is frequently revived at theaters around the world and has attracted a number of famous young actors to the role of Merrick.

Cooper previously appeared on Broadway in 2006 in the play "Three Days of Rain," opposite Julia Roberts.

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